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Nasir Sobhani26-year-old Canadian man gives haircuts to homeless people
Country:
 Canada |
Content:
- The Homeless Barber: Nazir Sobhani's Inspiring Cut for Change
- A Street of Opportunities
- Healing Through the Art of Hair
- From Despair to Determination
- Cutting a Path to Recovery
- A Bond That Transcends
- A Voice for the Voiceless
- A Transformation Through Service
- The Power of Giving Back
The Homeless Barber: Nazir Sobhani's Inspiring Cut for Change
From Addiction to AdvocacyAt the tender age of 26, Canadian-born Nazir Sobhani dedicates his weekends to an extraordinary cause: restoring hope and dignity to the homeless. Known affectionately as 'The Homeless Barber,' Sobhani's journey of recovery from a four-year drug addiction has led him to a unique mission.
A Street of Opportunities
Every Saturday, Sobhani offers free haircuts to the homeless at 'Medusa' in Melbourne's north-west, through his initiative 'Clean Cut Clean Start.' "Homeless people don't get the respect and attention they deserve," he says, "so our main focus is to make them feel human."
Healing Through the Art of Hair
For several years, Sobhani has been hitting Melbourne's streets, offering his pro bono services. It was the art of barbering that sparked his recovery from addiction. His first client was a fellow addict he saw cleaning windows outside his barbershop. "I noticed him one day, and he told me he had been clean for a month," Sobhani recalls. "I couldn't believe it! He asked for a haircut, and his hair was so long and matted at the back. I thought, 'I have to clean him up.'"
"I asked him if I could cut his hair, and we sat down and shared our stories," says Sobhani. "When I was done, he loved it. His mum came in and took photos; she was crying."
From Despair to Determination
That moment became pivotal for Sobhani. "I realized I had the power to help this guy change," he reflects. "I thought, if all I can do is this, which I love, I'm going to keep doing it."
Born and raised in Japan, Sobhani moved to Canada to join his brother in his doctoral studies. His addiction intensified there, and Sobhani eventually sought help at a rehabilitation center. "I was an addict, but I was fortunate to have a home to go to," he says. "My mom loved me too much to put me on the streets."
"I didn't become homeless, but I was heavily addicted to drugs," Sobhani reveals. "I was couch-hopping and spending time with people who were homeless."
Cutting a Path to Recovery
Sobhani's rock bottom came on March 23, 2013, when he decided to quit drugs. Ahead of his rehabilitation, he picked up barbering. "I used to hang around barbershops and sweep up hair for free in exchange for a few pointers," Sobhani recalls. "I would practice in my garage, bathroom, or kitchen."
"An amazing lady named Samer Buzab from 'Electric Brain' gave me my first pair of clippers," Sobhani says. He credits Buzab and her colleague, Tane Mastick, as instrumental in his journey. "They were so influential in my learning and getting me to where I am now."
A Bond That Transcends
As he began cutting hair on the streets, Sobhani realized the emotional toll of hearing stories of unimaginable hardship. Yet, he cherishes the special connection he forms with the homeless as they entrust their hair into his skilled hands. "When a homeless person comes to me as a client, whether it's on the street or in my barbershop, I focus on them and them only," he says.
"The difference is, when I get these guys, I spend time with them. It's more about the connection and building a relationship. It's not just about the haircut, it's about them."
A Voice for the Voiceless
Sobhani often photographs his street clients, sharing their stories on Instagram. "I'm not using homelessness for my own personal gain," he explains. "I'm helping to give the voiceless a voice and the faceless a face."
In one instance, Sobhani questioned his work when he cut a known drug dealer's hair. "I had to stop cutting because the guy I was cutting was a local heroin dealer, and he had to go do a drop," Sobhani remembers. "I ended up shutting my clippers off, and right in front of me, he did a deal. It really affected me because I was really depressed afterwards. I was really thrown off."
A Transformation Through Service
A month later, Sobhani was encouraged to hear from the same dealer. "The guy messaged me and said, 'Naz, since you cut my hair, things have changed in my life,'" Sobhani recalls. "He had stopped selling heroin and was trying to get things right with his children."
Ever modest, Sobhani, a Baha'i, does not take credit for the dealer's positive changes. He simply hopes his service can spark some small difference in people's lives. "That case with the drug dealer really made me realize that everyone deserves a second chance," he says.
The Power of Giving Back
When asked why he continues his work, Sobhani doesn't hesitate: "Once I got my life back, it was only right to give back to others."
"I love cutting hair, and I love what the Baha'i faith teaches me: Service to humanity is service to God," Sobhani explains. "I've finally gotten to a place in my life where I am in a position to help others, and I'm going to do it the only way I know how."
